Half-yearly Report
Eco Animal Health Group Plc
ECO Animal Health Group plc
Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2011
Key features
Peter Lawrence, Chairman of ECO Animal Health Group plc, commented:
“The second half has started well. Based on orders booked for delivery in the third quarter, total sales after nine months should be comfortably ahead of last year. The approval for Aivlosin® in Canada is another important step in the Company’s global marketing plans; sales will commence after the end of the current financial year. ECO’s recent additional investment in people and new offices, ahead of imminent further marketing approvals, reflects management’s confidence, despite continuing worldwide troubled economies, in the future of the business and its ability to drive growth.â€
Contacts:
ECO Animal Health Group plc | Â | |
Peter Lawrence | 020 8336 6190 | |
 | ||
Spiro Financial | ||
Anthony Spiro | 020 8336 6196 | |
 | ||
Cenkos Securities plc (Nominated adviser) | ||
Stephen Keys | 020 7397 8926 | |
Elizabeth Bowman | 020 7397 8928 |
ECO Animal Health Group plc is a leader in the development, registration and marketing of pharmaceutical products for animals. Our products for these global growth markets promote well-being. Our financial goals are achieved through the careful and responsible application of science to generate value for our shareholders.
Chairman’s statement
I am pleased to report that ECO Animal Health Group has again delivered a good set of results for the six months ended 30 September 2011. Sales and operating profit were comfortably ahead of our budget although below last year’s outturn. As expected, some major customers adjusted their delivery schedules to give a stronger second half bias and this was built into our phased budget. The change in the timing of orders is not expected to affect the full year’s result, but has distorted the first half performance. The second half of the year is traditionally stronger as the incidence of respiratory disease increases and parasite numbers also rise during the southern hemisphere spring. This trend is already reflected in our results for the first two months of the second half, which are ahead of last year and show that ECO Group’s sales are cumulatively ahead of the comparable period in the previous year.
In November, ECO was pleased to report that the Veterinary Drugs Directorate of Health Canada has granted a marketing authorisation for Aivlosin® for pigs. The Health Canada approval is the first in North America for Aivlosin®, ECO’s patented macrolide antibiotic, and marks a very important step in the Company’s development of its global veterinary product. It further extends the marketing reach of Aivlosin®, which is used for the treatment of respiratory and enteric diseases in pigs and poultry. We anticipate that we will shortly receive a long awaited registration from the Federal Drug Administration, which will allow us to commence sales in the large markets of the USA.
Financial
ECO’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and share based payments (EBITDAS) were £2.2 million (2010: £2.2 million) and together with sales, were well ahead of our phased budget and confirm the underlying revenue growth trend. Profit from continuing operations rose to £0.44 million (2010: £0.42 million). Basic earnings per share were 0.53 pence (2010: 0.35 pence), which is an increase of over 50 per cent. Our balance sheet remains strong with almost £1.5 million cash generated in the period from our worldwide operations. Net cash remained high at near £8 million after investing around £2 million in our ongoing drug registration programme and having paid the annual dividend of £1 million. Shareholders representing some 22 per cent of holders chose to take the scrip alternative. This enables the Company to conserve cash, which can be redirected to finance our research, development and regulatory affairs which are so important for the future of the business.
The company has recently established a currency hedge position with regard to its exposure to the US dollar and the euro. This action will help to mitigate any real foreign exchange losses, as opposed to accounting regulatory ones, which reflected an uncrystallised currency ‘loss’ during the period and which can still be reversed if sterling weakens again.
Operations and markets
ECO’s sales in US dollars grew by nearly 5 per cent in the period. The relative strength of sterling against the dollar resulted in sterling sales at the Group level being broadly unchanged. Worldwide demand for animal health products for farmed animals is influenced by many factors ranging from levels of economic activity to the influence of outbreaks of disease. This was demonstrated again by the varying level of demand for our products across different territories. Strong double digit growth in US dollars in Latin America, South East Asia, the Middle East and South Africa was offset by a softening in China, although strong orders after the period end have reversed that situation. Japan remains a difficult market and is still affected by local issues resulting from its triple disasters in March. Although trading in Europe has reflected the ongoing economic difficulties, we have appointed additional sales staff in the region to drive sales of both Aivlosin® and Ecomectin®, ECO’s range of differentiated generic antiparasitic drugs. The additional (unbudgeted) costs associated with recruitment will, once the economic situation improves, enable the Company to increase its penetration in these high value markets.
After the period end the Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD) of Health Canada granted a marketing authorisation for Aivlosin® 625 mg/g water soluble granules for pigs. This formulation of Aivlosin® will be marketed for the treatment of ileitis (porcine proliferative enteropathy (PPE)), an enteric disease of pigs. Aivlosin® water soluble granules dissolve readily in water providing a simple solution for the accurate and simultaneous treatment of large numbers of animals. Following several years of declining pig numbers in Canada the trend has reversed with producers now looking to consolidate their operations.
Canada and the USA represent more than one third of the world market for ECO’s products. We reported in July 2011 that the Aivlosin® regulatory timeline in the USA had been extended by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), owing to its excessive workload. The FDA was unable to commit to the original review timeline for the final component of the development programme relating to laboratory tests. Although the timeline is not under ECO’s control, the Company is making every effort to encourage the FDA to complete the approval of this final component as soon as possible. The joint venture with Pharmgate LLC in the USA, initiated in April 2010, has now been extended by the establishment of a legal entity in Canada. Inevitably, there is an investment cost of set up and administration in the period before sales can commence. This investment, together with expenditure to date, in order to obtain regulatory approval for Aivlosin®, should be rewarded by significant sales and increased Group profits from markets into which so far, we have not been authorised to sell.
In line with our strategic intent of moving closer to the end users in key markets, ECO has established a subsidiary in Mexico which will allow us to benefit from favourable NAFTA free trade agreements and appointed an experienced commercial director to manage the operation.
The development of selected, differentiated generic pet medications of potential major importance to ECO’s future continues to progress and remain within our expected timeframes.
Building on the basic research conducted by the Virology Division of the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge, funded by the UK Medical Research Council, into the inhibition of viruses by Aivlosin®, ECO has commissioned further research with other institutions and the results will be reported in due course.
Outlook
The second half has started well, boosted by the receipt of orders deferred from the first half. Based on orders booked for delivery in the third quarter, total sales after nine months should be comfortably ahead of last year. The approval for Aivlosin® in Canada is another important step in the Company’s global marketing plans; sales will commence after the end of the current financial year. ECO’s recent additional investment in people and new offices, ahead of imminent further marketing approvals, reflects management’s confidence, despite continuing worldwide troubled economies, in the future of the business and its ability to drive growth.
Peter Lawrence | Â | |
Executive Chairman | 9th December 2011 |
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT |
|||||||||
FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2011 | |||||||||
 |  | Six months |  | Six months |  | Year ended | |||
to | to | ||||||||
30.09.11 | 30.09.10 | 31.03.11 | |||||||
Notes | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||||
 | |||||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | |||||||
Revenue | 3 | 11,880 | 12,313 | 27,078 | |||||
Cost of sales | (7,473) | (7,435) | (16,365) | ||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||
Gross Profit | 4,407 | 4,878 | 10,713 | ||||||
 | |||||||||
Other operating income | 154 | 87 | 179 | ||||||
Administrative expenses | (2,324) | (2,300) | (4,610) | ||||||
Currency (losses) | (81) | (501) | (269) | ||||||
Amortisation of intangible assets | (1,756) | (1,562) | (3,240) | ||||||
Share based payments | (103) | (103) | (304) | ||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||
Results from operating activities: | 297 | 499 | 2,469 | ||||||
 | |||||||||
Net finance income/(expense) | 17 | 1 | (177) | ||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||
Profit before income tax | 314 | 500 | 2,292 | ||||||
 | |||||||||
Income tax | 131 | (81) | (298) | ||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||
Profit for the period from continuing operations | 445 | 419 | 1,994 | ||||||
 |
 |
 |
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Attributable to: | |||||||||
Owners | 278 | 183 | 1,591 | ||||||
Minority interest | 167 | 236 | 403 | ||||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||||
445 | 419 | 1,994 | |||||||
 |
 |
 |
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 | |||||||||
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE | 5 | 0.53p | 0.35p | 3.07p | |||||
 | |||||||||
FULLY DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE | 5 | 0.52p | 0.35p | 2.96p | |||||
 | |||||||||
PRE TAX BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE | 4 | 0.35p | 0.46p | 3.64p | |||||
 | |||||||||
Earnings from continuing activities before interest, taxation, depreciation, amortisation, and share based payments. | 2,224 | 2,241 | 6,101 | ||||||
 |
 |
 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | |||||||
FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2011 | |||||||
 | Six months |  | Six months |  | Year ended | ||
to | to | ||||||
30.09.11 | 30.09.10 | 31.03.11 | |||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | |||||
 | |||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | |||||
Profit for the period | 445 | 419 | 1,994 | ||||
 | |||||||
Foreign currency translation differences | 301 | (29) | 203 | ||||
Defined benefit pension plan – actuarial losses | - | - | 14 | ||||
Revaluation of investment in Kiotech International plc | (51) | 79 | 62 | ||||
Deferred tax on revaluation of investment in Kiotech | 12 | (19) | (16) | ||||
Revaluation of freehold property | - | 52 | 52 | ||||
Deferred tax on revaluation of freehold property | - | (72) | (72) | ||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||
Other comprehensive income for the period | 262 | 11 | 243 | ||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||
Total comprehensive income for the period | 707 | 430 | 2,237 | ||||
 | |||||||
Attributable to: | |||||||
Owners | 441 | 232 | 1,754 | ||||
Minority interest | 266 | 198 | 483 | ||||
 |
 |
 |
|||||
707 | 430 | 2,237 | |||||
 |
 |
 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2011 |
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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||
Share | Share | Other | Revaluation | Retained | Total | Minority | Total | ||||||||||
Capital | Premium | Reserves | Reserves | Earnings | Interest | Equity | |||||||||||
Account | Account | ||||||||||||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | ||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||
At 1 April 2010
Total comprehensive income for the period |
2,581 | 45,488 | 1,142 | 519 | 4,569 | 54,299 | 1,400 | 55,699 | |||||||||
Profit for the period | - | - | - | - | 1,591 | 1,591 | 403 | 1,994 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||
Revaluation of freehold property | - | - | - | 52 | - | 52 | - | 52 | |||||||||
Revaluation of investment | - | - | - | 61 | - | 61 | - | 61 | |||||||||
Tax effect of revaluations | - | - | - | (87) | - | (87) | - | (87) | |||||||||
Foreign currency translation differences | - | - | - | - | 123 | 123 | 80 | 203 | |||||||||
Actuarial gains on pension scheme assets | - | - | - | - | 14 | 14 | - | 14 | |||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period | - | - | - | 26 | 1,728 | 1,754 | 483 | 2,237 | |||||||||
 |
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Transactions with owners | |||||||||||||||||
Arising on issue of shares in the period | 29 | 781 | - | - | - | 810 | - | 810 | |||||||||
Dividends | - | - | - | - | (1,191) | (1,191) | (92) | (1,283) | |||||||||
Share based payments | - | - | 304 | - | - | 304 | - | 304 | |||||||||
Transfer to retained earnings on option expiry | - | - | (116) | - | 116 | - | - | - | |||||||||
 |
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Total transactions with owners | 29 | 781 | 188 | - | (1,075) | (77) | (92) | (169) | |||||||||
 |
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At March 2011 | 2,610 | 46,269 | 1,330 | 545 | 5,222 | 55,976 | 1,791 | 57,767 | |||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period: | |||||||||||||||||
Profit for the period | - | - | - | - | 278 | 278 | 167 | 445 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||
Revaluation of freehold property | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
Revaluation of investments | - | - | - | (51) | - | (51) | - | (51) | |||||||||
Tax effect of revaluations | - | - | - | 12 | - | 12 | - | 12 | |||||||||
Foreign currency translation differences | - | - | - | - | 202 | 202 | 99 | 301 | |||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period | - | - | - | (39) | 480 | 441 | 266 | 707 | |||||||||
 |
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Transactions with owners | |||||||||||||||||
Arising on issue of shares in the period | 11 | 395 | - | - | - | 406 | - | 406 | |||||||||
Dividends | - | - | - | - | (1,567) | (1,567) | (389) | (1,956) | |||||||||
Share based payments | - | - | 103 | - | - | 103 | - | 103 | |||||||||
Transfer to retained earnings on option expiry | - | - | (96) | - | 96 | - | - | - | |||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||
 |
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Total transactions with owners | 11 | 395 | 7 | - | (1,471) | (1,058) | (389) | (1,447) | |||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||
At September 2011 | 2,621 | 46,664 | 1,337 | 506 | 4,231 | 55,359 | 1,668 | 57,027 | |||||||||
 |
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Prior interim period | |||||||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||
At 1 April 2010 | 2,581 | 45,488 | 1,142 | 519 | 4,569 | 54,299 | 1,400 | 55,699 | |||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period: | |||||||||||||||||
Profit for the period | - | - | - | - | 183 | 183 | 236 | 419 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||
Revaluation of freehold property | - | - | - | 52 | - | 52 | - | 52 | |||||||||
Revaluation of investments | - | - | - | 79 | - | 79 | - | 79 | |||||||||
Tax effect of revaluations | - | - | - | (91) | - | (91) | - | (91) | |||||||||
Foreign currency translation differences | - | - | - | - | 9 | 9 | (38) | (29) | |||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period | - | - | - | 40 | 192 | 232 | 198 | 430 | |||||||||
 |
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 | |||||||||||||||||
Transactions with owners | |||||||||||||||||
Arising on issue of shares in the period | 24 | 690 | - | - | - | 714 | - | 714 | |||||||||
Dividends | - | - | - | - | (1,191) | (1,191) | - | (1,191) | |||||||||
Share based payments | - | - | 103 | - | - | 103 | - | 103 | |||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||
Total transactions with owners | 24 | 690 | 103 | - | (1,191) | (374) | - | (374) | |||||||||
 |
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At 30 September 2010 | 2,605 | 46,178 | 1,245 | 559 | 3,570 | 54,157 | 1,598 | 55,755 | |||||||||
 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION | ||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
 | As at |  | As at |  | As at | |||||||||
30.09.11 | 30.09.10 | 31.03.11 | ||||||||||||
Notes | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | |||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | ||||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||
Non current assets | ||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 9 | 1,392 | 1,151 | 1,277 | ||||||||||
Goodwill and other intangibles | 8 | 38,734 | 37,968 | 38,637 | ||||||||||
Investments | 93 | 385 | 351 | |||||||||||
  |
||||||||||||||
40,219 | 39,504 | 40,265 | ||||||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||||||||
Inventories | 4,947 | 3,491 | 4,804 | |||||||||||
Trade and other receivables | 8,660 | 7,029 | 9,643 | |||||||||||
Income tax recoverable | 303 | 340 | 356 | |||||||||||
Other taxes and social security | 196 | 233 | 95 | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 11,312 | 10,970 | 9,471 | |||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
25,418 | 22,063 | 24,369 | ||||||||||||
 |
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Total assets | 65,637 | 61,567 | 64,634 | |||||||||||
 |
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 | ||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Trade and other payables | (4,370) | (3,352) | (5,795) | |||||||||||
Short term borrowings | (3,414) | (1,138) | (53) | |||||||||||
Income tax | (13) | (36) | (78) | |||||||||||
Other taxes and social security | (110) | (176) | (77) | |||||||||||
Dividends | (29) | (397) | (32) | |||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
(7,936) | (5,099) | (6,035) | ||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets less current liabilities | 57,701 | 56,468 | 58,599 | |||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
Non current liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Deferred tax | (674) | (713) | (832) | |||||||||||
 |
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57,027 | 55,755 | 57,767 | ||||||||||||
 |
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Equity | ||||||||||||||
Capital and reserves | ||||||||||||||
Called up share capital | 2,621 | 2,605 | 2,610 | |||||||||||
Share premium | 46,664 | 46,178 | 46,269 | |||||||||||
Revaluation reserve | 506 | 559 | 545 | |||||||||||
Other reserves | 1,337 | 1,245 | 1,330 | |||||||||||
Retained earnings | 4,231 | 3,570 | 5,222 | |||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
55,359 | 54,157 | 55,976 | ||||||||||||
Minority interest | 1,668 | 1,598 | 1,791 | |||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
57,027 | 55,755 | 57,767 | ||||||||||||
 |
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS | ||||||||||||||
 |  |  | ||||||||||||
Six months to | Six months to | Year ended | ||||||||||||
30.09.11 | 30.09.10 | 31.03.11 | ||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | ||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
Profit before tax | 314 | 500 | 2,292 | |||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
Adjustment for: | ||||||||||||||
Net finance (income)/costs | (17) | (1) | 178 | |||||||||||
Depreciation of plant and equipment | 69 | 77 | 88 | |||||||||||
Amortisation of intangible assets
Profit on disposal of investment |
1,755
(46) |
1,562
- |
3,240
- |
|||||||||||
Pension payments | - | - | (59) | |||||||||||
Pension operating costs | - | - | 2 | |||||||||||
Share based payments | 103 | 103 | 303 | |||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
Operating cash flow before movement in working capital | 2,178 | 2,241 | 6,044 | |||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
Change in inventories | (143) | 2,206 | 893 | |||||||||||
Change in receivables | 882 | 1,967 | (421) | |||||||||||
Change in payables | (1,392) | (185) | 2,159 | |||||||||||
 |
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Cash generated from operations | 1,525 | 6,229 | 8,675 | |||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
Interest paid | (16) | (39) | (54) | |||||||||||
Income tax paid | (27) | (87) | (156) | |||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
Net cash inflow from operating activities | 1,482 | 6,103 | 8,465 | |||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Sale of investments |
(165)
253 |
(88)
- |
(151)
- |
|||||||||||
Cost of acquiring drug registrations | (1,851) | (1,986) | (4,270) | |||||||||||
Interest received | 64 | 40 | 73 | |||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in) Investing activities | (1,699) | (2,034) | (4,348) | |||||||||||
 |
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 | ||||||||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||||||||
Issue of shares | 63 | 208 | 306 | |||||||||||
Dividends paid | (1,616) | (319) | (776) | |||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities |
(1,553) |
(111) |
(470) |
|||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(1,770) |
3,958 |
3,647 |
|||||||||||
Foreign exchange movements | 250 | (29) | (132) | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period |
9,418 |
5,903 |
5,903 |
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 |
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Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period |
7,898 |
9,832 |
9,418 |
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 |
NOTES TO THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2010
1. Basis of preparation
The financial information for the period to 30 September 2011 does not constitute statutory accounts as defined by Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. It has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in, and is consistent with, the audited financial statements for the twelve months to 31 March 2011.
The Group applies revised IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements (2007)â€, which became effective as of 1 January 2009. As a result, the Group presents all non owner changes in equity in consolidated statements of comprehensive income and all owner changes in equity in consolidated changes in equity.
2. Statement of compliance
The interim financial statements do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and do not comply with all of the disclosure requirements in IAS 34 “Interim Financial Reportingâ€. Accordingly, whilst the interim statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, they cannot be construed as being in full compliance with IFRS and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 March 2011.
3. Revenue is derived from the Group’s animal pharmaceutical businesses.
4. Principal risks and uncertainties were set out on pages 55-57 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2011. The key exposures are to foreign currency exchange rates, potential delays in obtaining market authorisations and single sources of supply for some raw materials and have remained unchanged since the year end.
5. Earnings per share
 | Six months to |  | Six months to |  | Year ended | ||
30.09.11 | 30.09.10 | 31.03.11 | |||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | |||||
 | |||||||
 | |||||||
 | |||||||
Weighted average number of shares in issue (000’s) | 52,221 | 51,773 | 51,873 | ||||
Fully diluted weighted average number of shares in issue (000’s) | 53,376 | 51,773 | 53,733 | ||||
 | |||||||
Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company (£’s) | 277,573 | 183,274 | 1,590,000 | ||||
 | |||||||
Basic earnings per share (pence) | 0.53 | 0.35 | 3.07 | ||||
Fully diluted earnings per share (pence) | 0.52 | 0.35 | 2.96 |
6. Dividends
 | Six months to |  | Six months to |  | Year ended | ||
30.09.11 | 30.09.10 | 31.03.11 | |||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | |||||
 | |||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | |||||
 | |||||||
Final dividend in respect of the year ended 31 March 2011(2010) | |||||||
52,253,172 (2010: 51,777,768) shares at 3.0p (2010:2.3p) per share
Dividend paid by subsidiary to minority interests |
1,567 389 |
1,191 - |
1,191 93 |
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 |
|||||||
1,956 | 1,191 | 1,284 | |||||
 |
7. Related party transactions
At the balance sheet date, ECO Animal Health Group plc owed P A Lawrence, a director of ECO Animal Health Group plc, and members of his family a balance amounting to £478,199 (30 September 2010: £4,864). During the period the Group provided management services to Kiotech International plc and C-Corp Limited, companies in which P A Lawrence is a director and holds equity interests. Fees charged were: Kiotech International plc £13,000 (2010: £13,000) and C-Corp Limited £25,287 (2010: £22,450). During the period, the Group also acquired a freehold property from C-Corp Limited at an arm’s basis for total consideration of £155,000.
During the period the Group made sales to Zhejiang ECO Biok Animal Health Products Limited at an arm’s length basis to the value of £1,096,382 (Six months to 30 September 2010: £577,551). At the end of this period there was an intercompany balance owing from this company of £778,226 (30 September 2010: £563,339).
The Group also made sales on an arm’s length basis to ECO Animal Health do Brasil Comercio de Productos Veterinarios Ltda to the value of £1,095,032 (Six months to 30 September 2010: £1,329,221). At the end of the period there was an intercompany balance of £1,515,949 (30 September 2010: £1,762,146).
The Group also made sales on an arm’s length basis to ECOpharma Inc to the value of £85,220 (30 September 2010: £621,279). At the end of the period there was an intercompany balance of £486,361 (30 September 2010: £420,296).
Since the last three of these companies are subsidiaries of ECO Animal Health Group plc, these transactions and balances have been eliminated on consolidation.
During the period ECO Animal Health Limited and ECO Animal Health Group plc received dividends of £404,442 (2010: £nil) from Zhejiang ECO Animal Health Products Limited. This amount has also been eliminated on consolidation.
8. Intangible non current assets
 |  | Distribution |  | Development |  | ||||
Goodwill | Rights | Costs | Total | ||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | ||||||
Cost | |||||||||
Cost at 1 April 2010 | 17,930 | 1,035 | 31,127 | 50,092 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Additions | - | - | 1,986 | 1,986 | |||||
 |
|||||||||
Cost at 30 September 2010 | 17,930 | 1,035 | 33,113 | 52,078 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Additions | - | - | 2,284 | 2,284 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Foreign exchange movements | - | - | 63 | 63 | |||||
 |
|||||||||
Cost at 31 March 2011 | 17,930 | 1,035 | 35,460 | 54,425 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Additions | - | - | 1,851 | 1,851 | |||||
 |
|||||||||
Cost at 30 September 2011 | 17,930 | 1,035 | 37,311 | 56,276 | |||||
 |
|||||||||
Amortisation | |||||||||
Amortisation at 1 April 2010 | - | 316 | 12,233 | 12,549 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Charge for the period | - | 28 | 1,534 | 1,562 | |||||
 |
|||||||||
Amortisation at 30 September 2010 | - | 344 | 13,767 | 14,111 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Charge for the period | - | 27 | 1,651 | 1,678 | |||||
 |
|||||||||
Amortisation at 31 March 2011 | - | 371 | 15,418 | 15,789 | |||||
 | |||||||||
Charge for the period
Foreign exchange movement |
-
- |
28
- |
1,727
(2) |
1,755
(2) |
|||||
 |
|||||||||
Amortisation at 30 September 2011 | - | 399 | 17,143 | 17,542 | |||||
 |
|||||||||
 | |||||||||
Net book value at 30 September 2011 |
17,930 |
636 |
20,168 |
38,734 |
|||||
 |
|||||||||
Net book value at 31 March 2011 | 17,930 | 664 | 20,042 | 38,636 | |||||
 |
|||||||||
Net book value at 30 September 2010 |
17,930 |
691 |
19,346 |
37,967 |
|||||
 |
|||||||||
Net book value at 1 April 2010 | 17,930 | 719 | 18,894 | 37,543 | |||||
 |
9. Property, plant and equipment
 |  |  |
Fixtures |
 |
Motor |
 | |||||
Freehold | Plant and | fittings & | Vehicles | ||||||||
property | machinery | equipment | Total | ||||||||
£000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | |||||||
Cost | |||||||||||
Cost at 1 April 2010 | 650 | 762 | 535 | - | 1,947 | ||||||
 | |||||||||||
Additions | - | 51 | 37 | - | 88 | ||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Cost at 30 September 2010 | 650 | 813 | 572 | - | 2,035 | ||||||
 | |||||||||||
Reclassifications
Additions |
-
- |
-
42 |
(42)
22 |
42
- |
-
64 |
||||||
Foreign exchange movements |
- |
280 |
- |
- |
280 |
||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Cost at 1April 2011 | 650 | 1,135 | 552 | 42 | 2,379 | ||||||
 | |||||||||||
Additions
Foreign exchange movements |
157
 - |
3
 56 |
5
 - |
-
 - |
165
 56 |
||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Cost at 30 September 2011 |
807 |
1,194 |
557 |
42 |
2,600 |
||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Depreciation | |||||||||||
Depreciation at 1 April 2010
 Revaluation in the period |
52 Â Â (52) |
359 Â Â - |
448 Â Â - |
- Â Â - |
859 Â Â (52) |
||||||
 | |||||||||||
Charge for the period | 5 | 56 | 16 | - | 77 | ||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Depreciation at 30 September 2010 |
5 |
415 |
464 |
- |
884 |
||||||
 | |||||||||||
Charge for the period
Foreign exchange movements |
4
 - |
(25)
 203 |
26
 - |
8
 2 |
13
 205 |
||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Depreciation at 1 April 2011 |
9 |
593 |
490 |
10 |
1,102 |
||||||
 | |||||||||||
Charge for the period
Foreign exchange movements |
5
 - |
41
 37 |
17
 - |
6
 - |
69
 37 |
||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Depreciation at 30 September 2011 |
14 |
671 |
507 |
16 |
1,208 |
||||||
 |
|||||||||||
 | |||||||||||
Net book value at 30 September 2011 |
793 |
523 |
50 |
26 |
1,392 |
||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Net book value at 1 April 2011 |
641 |
542 |
62 |
32 |
1,277 |
||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Net book value at 30 September 2010 |
645 |
398 |
108 |
- |
1,151 |
||||||
 |
|||||||||||
Net book value at 1 April 2010 |
598 |
403 |
87 |
- |
1,088 |
||||||
 |
10. Share Premium Cancellation
On 5th October 2011, just after the period end, ECO Animal Health Group plc obtained an order to confirm the cancellation of £10 million of its Share Premium Account and the transfer of this sum to its Distributable Reserves in accordance with the resolution passed by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on 2nd September 2011. The order was registered at Companies house on 7th October 2011. This will permit the Board much greater flexibility to determine its future distribution policy.
11. Cashflow
The cash generated from operations was £4.7m less than in the same period last year. This was because the inventory figure at September 2010 was unusually very low and the Company has since been building inventory to cover the expected increase in sales. The Company also reduced its trade payables by £1.4m in the period which is largely a function of the timing of payments to suppliers between one period and the next.
Group cash flow was also affected by an increase in dividends paid in the period compared to last year and was the result of the increase in the dividend declared as well as a decline in the take up of the scrip alternative. Finally, the minority interest’s share of our Chinese subsidiary’s dividend paid in the period resulted in a further £389,000 of cash outflow to the Group.
12. This financial information was approved by the board on 9 December 2011.
Copies of this interim report are being sent to all of the Company’s shareholders. Further copies can be obtained from the Company’s registered office at 78 Coombe Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 4QS.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS | Â | PETER LAWRENCE | Â | (CHAIRMAN) | |
MARC LOOMES | (CHIEF EXECUTIVE) | ||||
KEVIN STOCKDALE | (FINANCE DIRECTOR) | ||||
JULIA TROUSE | (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND COMPANY SECRETARY) | ||||
BRETT CLEMO | (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) | ||||
DAVID DANSON | (NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) | ||||
JULIA HENDERSON | (NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) | ||||
 | |||||
REGISTERED OFFICE | 78 COOMBE ROAD, NEW MALDEN, SURREY KT3 4QS | ||||
TEL: 020-8336-2900 | FAX: 020-8336-0909 | ||||
 | |||||
COMPANY NUMBER | 01818170 |